Improvement in tanning processes



UNITED STATES PATENT Fries.

RUFUS KEELEB, OF ROGHESTER, ASSIGNOR TO LEWIS U. ENGLAND, OF

' NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT lN TANNING PROCESSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. I2,l48, dated January2, 1855.

" all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUFUS KEELER, of Rochester, county of Monroe, andState of New York, have invented a new and useful Int provement in theProcess of Tanning Leather; and I do hereby declare that the followingis a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention consists in incorporating a large quantity of oil with theleather while yet in the tan-pits. The result of this is seen in theproduction of a very superior article, both in regard to flexibility,elasticity,-and weight. By my said improvements I am enabled to make asfine leather with hemlock-bark and oil as can be produced by the use ofthe most costly materials.

The stock is prepared and placed in the tanpits in the usual manner andquantity, and the tan-liquoris also prepared as usual. Into this the oilwhich is to be incorporated with the stock is poured; but this alonewould not accomplish any result, as the oil would remain separated.

I have found thatby constant agitation ofthe liquor and skins and theaddition of the oil by little at a time a large quantity of oil isgradually absorbed by the leather, and I have also found that while thisis going on a much larger proportion of tannin is taken up by the skinsthan would be if. there were no oil, and

hence from their joint action results the greater weight before named,and consequently greater value of the article.

In order to effect the incorporation of the oil with the best result, Iuse the agitating-wheel known as Englands Patent Handler. This is apaddle-wheel of which the buckets just touch the top of the tau-liquorin the vats and by their revolution keep the same in coinmo tion. Whilethis goes on the oil is to added little by little and as fastas it isabsorbed, which will be in theqnantity of from eight to ten gallons forthe pack of one hundred and fifty skins of calf. The incorporation is socomplete that the presence of the oil cannot be perceived in thetinished skinsin' any other manner than by its effects. What I claim,and desire to secure by Let ters Patent of the United States, is- Theherein-described improved method 0 tanning leather by introducing oilinto the tanning-liquor and effecting its incorporation with theleather, in combination with the tannin, substantially in the manner andfor the purposes as set forth.

. RUFUS KEELER.

Witnesses S. H. MAYNARD, JAMES L. ROBERTS.

